Metro Transit Holds Hearings On Possible Fare Increases

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Metro Transit is talking about how much it may have to cut bus routes and hike fares when a state budget is actually approved.

It’s facing a $109 million cut in state funding, based on the most recent proposal from lawmakers.

Metro Transit is considering raising fares up to 50 cents and cutting back bus service by 25 percent.

The Metropolitan Council held the first of two public meetings on Wednesday night to talk about the impact of potential budget cuts. Many people who attended the meeting say public transit is their only option to get around and get to work. They say they can’t afford higher fares.

“That means I might not be able to do some of my work, I might not be able to go to work, and I might not be able to go worship. These things are really important to a lot of people, and it’s very important to me,” one Metro Transit rider told the Met Council at the hearing.

There is another public hearing on potential transit cuts Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Minneapolis.

How about the businesses these people work at give them raises so they could, you know, actually afford a cheap used car or something? Oh wait, those business owners are too busy giving that money away to the Republicans so their taxes aren’t raised that would help support the rest of society that in turn is supporting them. Heaven forbid they actually pay the people who are doing all the work that makes money for their business a few pennies more. It sure appears to be all about concentration of wealth to the upper few percent from others’ labor.

You mean for the conservatives, it’s all about me, me me. Wah! I made all my money all by myself! How DARE anyone tax any of it! Wahh!

In case it escapes you, no one is an island. Everyone has help making their money, weather from workers working for them, people spending money to buy products their company makes, depending on the roads they use (and their customers need to use to get to their stores or to make their own money to buy the products), using the education they were given, enjoying the protection given by our police/military/legal system, assurance of clean water and air, etc.

To expect those who make more to pay more instead of slashing budgets everywhere is not unreasonable. And the more you make, the more dependent you are on society as a whole to make your higher income possible. So quit your whining about taxing the rich a slight amount to order to provide some basic transportation for those who really can’t afford better. Many of those people are already spending everything they make on basic necessities, and as such contributing to the economy that is helping make the rich richer.

People who make more already pay more taxes than people who make less, not only that they tend to spend more as well which is good for other business’s and the economy itself. Minnesota is already one of the highest taxed states in the nation yet we’re in debt and clowns like this think that more taxing is the solution.
If I’m broke, I have to cut down on spending not ask other people for more money plain and simple.

@Like it is- There is so much wrong with you “logic” I don’t know where to begin. The people thathelp them make their money…employees- they pay out of their pockets…Education- they paid for, it wasn’t given to them….as far as roads, police, clean water etc, they are already paying taxes, more taxes will not keep them safer, or have their water be cleaner.

A fare hike of $.50 may be the difference between me driving or using the train. If I drive they lose more money than the fare increase will cover. Granted I am but one person so in the end what I think doesn’t matter nor does what anyone else in the general public. If the city allows it they will increase the fares whether the public wants it or not.

I ride the bus to and from work everyday. This would be a $5 increase in my transportation every week. Would I prefer lower fares? Of course. Am I upset that it might happen? No way. Maybe if you can’t afford it, cut your cell phone, or cable, or internet bill at home to make up the difference.

The state is in a huge debt crisis, subsidies need to be cut. It will(and should) go far beyond bus fares.

I”t thinking that all you folks commenting have never been in a situation where you have a choice of calling in sick, because you can’t afford teh bus fare, or paying the bus fare and not having money to give to your kids for their school lunch. I think so many of you need to get off of your high horse and realize that there are a lot of folks out there who depend on the buss for their transportation, as their only means of transportation, because they aren’t physically or mentally capable of doing other than the minimum wage jubs that they have. And I’ll bet you they don’t have cell phones, or a land lined or cable or computers! It’s just that your mind isn’t open enough to know that there are people in our world in such circumstances cuz y’all have had everything handed to you all of your life. Or at least grew up in a situation where it was possible to obtain your dreams. Open up your minds, your eyes and your hearts folks.

At the current rush hour rate of $2.25, it would cost me $90/month to ride the bus from Northeast Mpls to work downtown. Instead, I pay $70/month to park downtown, plus gas. When you add it up, the bus doesn’t make economic sense to me, especially if they raise the rate.

As stated I live in Northeast and have only about 3 miles to drive to get to work. So I don’t use much gas getting to my job. As for insurance, maintenance, plates, etc., I’ve had a car since I was 16 and will continue to have one regardless of how I get to work, so I pay those costs anyway. I thought that went without saying. For the bus to make “economic sense” to me, the fare would have to be significantly cheaper than paying for gas and parking, which it isn’t.

Let’s look at the big picture. I’m ok with fare increases if they take these “bone headed” drivers and teach them how to drive like a professional. Talk about a me,me, me attitude. It’s not your road only. In fact you don’t even contribute to state or metro roads. Don’t forget, they don’t pay tax on fuel. Life was much better whn they were on strike.

Two years ago when the gas prices were close to $4, the number of riderships double and many people experimented with public transportation. It helped to lower the demand for gasoline and stabilize the price. Increasing the fare will increase the number of cars on the road and increase the demand therefore gas prices. Everyone will pay for it.